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Penn State OC Mike Yurcich wants WRs to embrace mentality of ‘relentless pursuit’ of improvement
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Penn State’s wide receiver room should never be satisfied. That’s the message new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich is sending to that group entering the 2021 season.
The Nittany Lions seem to be in a good spot at the position heading into the upcoming season. They return their top three players from last season — Jahan Dotson, Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. But Yurcich says the group still has a long way to go.
“Where are we as a receivers group? Not where we need to be. None of them,” Yurcich said during Penn State’s media day on Saturday.
It’s not that guys like Dotson, Washington and others aren’t incredibly talented. They’ve flashed their potential numerous times on the field. Yurcich isn’t a fan of players getting too comfortable.
That’s when, as Yurcich puts it, guys can get caught from behind.
“We’re always gonna have that mentality. We have to continue to improve regardless of what last practice was, regardless of what last game’s result was,” Yurcich said. “There has to be a relentless pursuit to improve. It’s a very humbling game. And once you think you’ve arrived – he’s really good, he’s where we need him to be – you’re gonna get caught from behind.”
Dotson is considered by many outlets to be one of the top receivers in college football entering 2021. Last fall, he hauled in 52 passes for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns in 9 games. Washington was next with 489 yards and 6 touchdowns on 36 catches.
No other receiver on last year’s roster had more than 200 yards.
Establishing more depth is a key to Penn State’s offense in 2021. Seeing improvement from Dotson and Washington won’t hurt, either.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB